Kenneth Herweyer, 78
Kenneth John Herweyer, 78, of Holland, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025, at his home.
Ken was a pipe fitter for Local Union 174, employed by Andy Egan for many years. He was also a skilled carpenter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dutch and Toots Herweyer; and brothers Buck, Marvin, and Jim Herweyer.
He is survived by his wife Arlene; children, Sherri (Bill) Duren of Hamilton and Paul Herweyer of Grand Haven; grandchildren, Bill (Sheryl) Duren, Amber Duren, Sam (Michelle) Duren, Lilie (Aaron) Chapman, Mary Duren, Sarah (Cedric) Silva, Jed Duren, David Duren, Pearl Duren and Ruby Duren; several great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Karen (Jack) Antles of Montana, Jerry (Joan) Herweyer of Zeeland, Luanne Barney of Turkey, Donna Herweyer of West Olive, Bob (Cynthia) Herweyer of Fennville and Katy (Bryon) Gutschmidt of Allendale; sister-in-law, Sue Herweyer of Holland; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A visitation is planned for Saturday, March 8, from 1 to 5pm at the Dykstra Funeral Homes - Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland. Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Pat Whitman, 72
Pat Elaine Whitman, 72, of Holland, passed away peacefully March 1, 2025 surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Pat had a deep love for travel, antiques, and the arts. She found joy in restoring old furniture, breathing new life into forgotten pieces with her creative touch. Later in life, she discovered her passion for painting—particularly watercolor and acrylic—earning several awards for her work, a testament to her boundless creativity and determination.
A devoted member of the Lakeshore Church of Christ, Pat was actively involved and deeply cherished by her church community. The church was a great blessing to Pat, both in her worship of the Lord and through the prayers and support she received during her battle with cancer.
Above all, Pat’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her beloved husband of 36 years, Richard Whitman; children, Timothy (Cindy) Hendershot, April (Scot) Ulmer, and Nicholas (Stephanie) Whitman; and six grandchildren, Porter and Alex Hendershot, Maisie, Laney, and SJ Ulmer, and Rowan Whitman. She is also survived by her beloved cat, Noelle.
Pat’s kindness, creativity, and appreciation for beauty in all its forms will be deeply missed but forever remembered.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 8 at 11 a.m. at the Lakeshore Church of Christ, 711 Butternut Dr., Holland.
Barbara Dreyer, 81
Barbara J. Dreyer age 81, of Holland, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.
Barb was the daughter of Harold and Mabel Dannenberg and was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Ronald; and in-laws, Ernie Dreyer, Lucille and Allan Van Den Berg, Ray Quintero, and Lois Dannenberg.
She was a member of Beechwood Reformed Church and drove the school bus for many years for Ottawa Area Center.
Barb is survived by her daughter, Dawn and Tim Westveld; granddaughter, Jenna and Taylor Fisher; great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Bennett; siblings, Carl Dannenberg and Joyce Hessler, Ron and Gloria Dannenberg, Darlene Quintero; in-laws, Chet and Mary Dreyer, Jim and Ruth Dreyer, and Vonnie Dreyer; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at 12 noon Saturday, March 8 at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. with Revs. Marlin Vis and Aaron Westhouse officiating the service at the funeral home, followed by refreshments and fellowship. Private family burial will be in Bentheim Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Tunnels to Towers (t2t.org) and the American Heart Association (heart.org).
Donald De Koster, 94
Donald E. De Koster, 94, of Holland, loving uncle, great uncle, and friend, went to his heavenly home on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 74 years, Henrietta De Koster: siblings, Bernice and Jim De Ridder, Gerald De Koster, and Esther and Jack De Vries.
He is survived by his sister, Sandra and Clint Meyering; nieces and nephews, Kim and David Blaker, and Nancy and Gregg Deters; sister-in-law, Shirley De Koster; and several other nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Don was a member of 14th Street Christian Reformed Church and former member of Montello Park Christian Reformed Church, where he served as elder and deacon. He worked as an electrician for the H.J. Heinz Co. and for Herman Miller. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War.
Funeral services with military honors will be 12 noon on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland with Rev. Benj Petroelje officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be given to 14th Street CRC.
Maria Linares, 67
Maria Linares, 67, of Holland, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.
Maria was born in Mexico June 18, 1957. She moved to Holland in 1990. She worked for Tyson foods for many years, retiring in 2020.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Amy Linares, in 2011.
Maria is survived by her children, Sergio Estrada, Claudia Estrada, Rolando Linares, Juan Jose Linares, and Lazaro Linares Jr.; grandchildren, Adrian Estrada, Alex Estrada, Christian Estrada, Diego Estrada, Elian Estrada, Giovani Badillo, Cynthia Badillo, Jacquelyn Badillo, Yaretzi Badillo, Daniella Linares, Adalaya Estrada, and Zadiel Linares; great-grandchildren, Adriel Estrada and Adalynn Estrada.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place Tuesday, March 4 at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Holland.
Marie Spoelman, 83
Marie Joyce Spoelman, 83, of Zeeland, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
Marie was born Dec. 24, 1941 to Edward and Reka Harsevoort. She graduated from Holland High School in 1959. Marie married Eugene Spoelman on April 28, 1961.
She was a longtime member of Faith Reformed Church in Zeeland. Marie worked at Holland Furnace, Haven Park and Herman Miller. When not working or being a fulltime mother, she enjoyed camping, cards, dominos, puzzles and knitting.
Marie is survived by her sons, Scott (Sandra) Spoleman, David (Diane Krantz) Spoleman and Rodney Spoleman; grandchildren, Michael Spoelman, Sean Spoelman, Eric Spoelman, Olivia (Alex Ely) Spoelman, Adam Spoelman, Sapphire Spoelman and Trisha Spoelman; great-grandchildren, Asher Ely, Louise Spoelman and Josephine Spoelman; siblings, Addie (Larry) Nykamp; in-laws, John VanderKooi and Virginia Harsevoort.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Reka Harsevoort; siblings, Toni (Bill) Strong, Elaine VanderKooi, Alvin (Lois) Harsevoort and Gary Harsevoort.
A funeral service will occur at 1 p.m. today at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland. A burial will occur at 2:30 p.m. at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 994 Paw Paw Dr., Holland.
Patricia Breuker, 83
Patricia Joy (Sandy) Breuker, 83, of Holland, entered into the presence of her Savior on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
Pat’s life was a testimony of unwavering faith, tireless devotion, and selfless love. She was a founding member and elder of Ridge Point Community Church in Holland, where she poured her heart into serving the Lord and His people. Her faith was the guiding force of her life, shaping the way she loved, worked, and cared for those around her.
A woman of great strength and dedication, Pat was known for her tireless work ethic. Prior to her retirement, Pat was co-owner of Booksellers on Main Street in downtown Holland, where she was able to instill her love for books and reading to others.
Pat is predeceased by her devoted husband, Gordon Wayne Breuker, and her parents and in-laws. She is survived by her children, Douglas Breuker, Matthew and Lori Breuker, and Mary Ellen and Paul Herdegen; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kelsey and Eric Mbajika (Adriel), Alex Breuker, Nicholas and Hannah Breuker (River and Emberly), Abbigail Breuker and Jacob Pickett, Kathryn Gohlke, Miranda Gohlke, Jakob Gohlke, Lilia Herdegen, and Gabe Herdegen; sister, Betty Van Houten; in-laws, Gayle and Donald Sommerfield, Pat (Sandy) Smith; and many cherished nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 1 at Ridge Point Community Church, 340 104th Ave., Holland, with Rev. Kevin Pike officiating. Interment was in Graafschap Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Ridge Point Community Church or MOST Ministries, mostministries.org.
Mong Nguyen, 56
Mong Hoang Nguyen, 56, of Holland, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.
Mong was born on Oct. 15, 1968 in Binh Dinh, Viet Nam.
A funeral mass was held Monday, March 3, at Our Lady of La Vang, 2019 Porter St. SW, Wyoming. Burial was in North Holland Cemetery, 2436 Beeline Rd., Holland.
Melissa Brown, 53
Melissa Brown, 53, of Burnips, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, surrounded by her family at their home.
Melissa was born in St. Joseph on June 1, 1971 to Jerry Pawlicke and Carolyn (Angel) Pawlicke. She graduated from Stevensville Lakeshore High School and Grand Valley State University.
Melissa met Eric Brown and they married in 1995. Melissa was a Biblical counselor, an author, and the founder of Bridle of Hope. She was preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn Pawlicke.
Melissa is survived by her husband of 30 years, Eric Brown; son and daughter-in-law, Braden and Noelle; father, Jerry Pawlicke and Karen Watson; brother, Mike Muirhead and Pam Ezell; aunt, Janice Fuller; sister-in-law, Dawnna Brown and her daughters Maylin and Ellie.
Services were held Saturday, March 1 at LifeChange Community Church, 3014 Newell St., Dorr. Private interment was in Salem Twp. Cemetery.
Arrangements were by the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Carroll Otberg, 90
Carroll Otberg, 90, of Holland, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on July 4, 1934, in Cadillac to Enar and Marian (Sorenson) Otberg, Carroll lived a life defined by service, family, and unwavering kindness.
Carroll served his country in the United States Navy, enlisting in 1952 and serving for four years. Following his military service, he attended barber school in Massachusetts before returning to his hometown of Cadillac.
Throughout his working years, Carroll wore many hats - from barber to delivery driver for A&P grocery stores to employee at Brooks and Perkins in Cadillac. In the late 1960s, he relocated his family to Southfield, where he joined Burton Abstract and Title Company. There, he contributed to significant projects in the Detroit area, including title work for the Renaissance Center. Carroll was medically retired in 1976.
For the following 49 years, Carroll dedicated himself to volunteer work with numerous charities and institutions, including hospice and his church, touching countless lives with his generosity and compassion.
Carroll was preceded in death by: his first wife of 60 years, Barbara (Bagley) Otberg, who passed in 2013; his parents, Enar and Marian Otberg; and his siblings, Eldon Otberg, Adolf Otberg, and Ginny Peterson.
He is survived by his wife, Marion (Romanowski) Otberg, whom he married in 2020; daughter, Debi Forsythe (Pat); son, Ray Otberg (Deb); stepson, John Dye; grandchildren, Carl Forsythe, Matthew Otberg, Skyler Otberg, Allie Gierman (Otberg), and Mackenzie Otberg; great-grandchildren, Dameon Inman, Atticus Otberg, and Ferris Otberg.
A funeral mass was held Monday, March 3 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 171 W. 13th St., Holland.
